by KR Bankston
“Blue, you know I’m there for you,” Shango returned.
He was glad to hear it. Blue had only discovered their need for him a few days ago and was hoping they wouldn’t be disappointed when he finally made contact.
“Good,” Blue returned. “I need you to drive though,” he told Shango.
The man replied he would have driven anyway.
“Man likes to have his own women with him when he does a job,” Shango replied, referring to his huge arsenal of weapons.
Blue chuckled slightly at the reference but told him he fully understood.
“Cool, when you arrive, call me and we’ll meet up,” Blue told him as Shango assured him he would and the two men disconnected.
Blue was glad that task had been so easy. There were a few others however that would prove not to be. What are you going to do about her, his mind threw at him as Blue sighed deeply. Pushing the thoughts from his mind for now, he concentrated on yet another aspect of the plan making another call.
“Hello,” Layla answered calmly.
“When is the opening,” Blue asked without greeting.
He really didn’t have much use for the woman once King Diesel introduced them. She was sneaky and Blue didn’t like sneaky people.
“Saturday, 10:00PM,” she returned.
“Get me the layout,” he threw back as she sighed lightly and asked him how she was supposed to do that.
“I’m sure you can figure it out,” he returned nastily.
Blue didn’t go too far, however, knowledge that King Diesel was screwing the woman.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll try,” Layla returned and disconnected.
Blue sighed deeply once more. The days were now numbered and come Saturday night, the switch would be turned on and the game begun in earnest. Deciding he needed to relax, Blue changed his clothes and headed downstairs to the workout room. He began with the free weights, leaving them shortly afterward and hitting the heavy bag. Blue then went through his litany of martial arts routines before finishing with four miles on the treadmill. He was once again bathed in sweat, but far more relaxed, mind clear. His cell vibrated and Blue read the message found. King Diesel had yet another assignment for him he noted sighing silently before sending a return reply. Blue headed back upstairs, showering and sitting on the side of his bed. He pulled out the worn folder and opened it. One by one he flipped through the photographs, articles, psychiatric notes, on Lauren over the years. My baby has been through hell and back, he thought, his heart aching. She survived though, he once again observed, his chest swelling in pride. Lauren was a fighter and that made what they had planned all the more dangerous. King Diesel’s questioning statement rang in his ear once more. “Are you sure you can handle her,” King Diesel spoke. “Because if you can’t, I will.” Blue willed himself to calm down, the anger surging thinking of the man trying to harm Lauren. His breathing once again even, Blue rose and dressed heading out to handle the errand King Diesel assigned. Everything is on schedule, don’t sweat the small stuff, Blue’s mind told him as he smiled and agreed, whistling now as he grabbed his keys walking out into the sunshine.
*****
Kim wasn’t in the mood to deal with Tyshon, especially with things going very well between her and Mook, but he’d insisted upon seeing her when he texted her earlier. Need to cut the ties anyway, she thought as she arrived at his house. Tyshon opened the door smiling, immediately inviting her inside. Kim ventured once more into the house, this time sitting in the lone, patchwork green, wing chair found in the living room.
“It’s like that now,” Tyshon asked noticing her choice.
“You said you wanted to visit, so does it matter where I sit,” Kim asked calmly.
He chuckled slightly but didn’t press the issue.
“You want something to drink,” he asked as Kim again asked for water.
He handed her the bottle as he walked back into the room and once again sat on the couch.
“Why are you so cold to me now Kim,” he asked, his eyes boring into hers.
Kim was a bit unnerved with the stare. There was something behind those eyes that set her alarm bells off.
“I haven’t been cold Ty,” she replied trying to sound friendly. “I told you in the beginning, I have a husband and a son,” Kim added for good measure.
“Hmph,” Tyshon returned. “You weren’t too worried about your husband the last time we were together,” he told her smartly.
Kim sighed lightly. She was wondering when he would bring that up. “That was a mistake Ty,” she told him. “Something that shouldn’t have happened and definitely won’t happen again,” Kim finished resolutely.
Tyshon cocked his head to the side and watched her again silently a little while longer.
“Kim, do you really think I’m going to give you up that easily,” he asked testily.
Sighing deeply, Kim tried to keep her cool.
“Ty, that’s not really up too you,” she replied. “I’m not trying to fight with you,” she went on trying to be diplomatic.
“We were together a lifetime ago Ty, I mean we can be friends, but you’re trying to recapture something that is long since over,” Kim patiently explained.
He continued watching her without comment before bursting into laughter, perplexing her. Tyshon picked up the remote and turned on the TV. He picked up another remote and pressed a button. Kim’s mouth dropped as their tryst played on the screen full blown in HD stereo sound and picture.
“What the fuck,” she threw out glaring at him angrily.
“Insurance,” Tyshon said simply. “See I knew you were going to try and play me, give me all this husband bullshit,” he told her, getting up and coming over to the chair where she sat.
“So now that you know I’m dead serious about you coming back to me, you can either tell the fool yourself its over, or I’ll send him this DVD and then tell him my damned self you’re over,” Tyshon threatened.
Kim knew if he ever approached Mook it would be his last day on earth, but if he showed Mook that DVD he would kill them both. Kim swallowed hard her mind racing.
“Ty, this is some bullshit,” she told him jumping from the chair.
“No Kim,” he told her, getting in her face. “This is me trying to save what’s mine and been taken away from me unfairly,” he told her trying to kiss her.
Kim pushed him away angrily. Tyshon grabbed her holding both arms and forced the kiss on her. Kim bit his lip causing him to curse and push her back into the chair.
“That’s how you want it Kim,” he asked giving her another look.
“I can show him the shit today,” he barked.
“You stay the hell away from my family,” Kim told him getting up and grabbing her purse heading for his front door.
Tyshon quickly closed the gap and pushed her against the door jam right as she opened it.
“I’m not fuckin’ around Kim,” he hissed in her ear. “I’m giving you three days,” he continued.
“Saturday I will be in your face whether you’ve told him or not,” Tyshon finished before letting her go.
Kim didn’t waste time looking back as she hurriedly got into her car and left his presence. Tyshon watched her go the small smile playing on his lips as he closed the door behind her and went to find ice for the swelling.
*****
Shango began gathering his equipment for the trip down south. “Gonna have some fun,” he said aloud chuckling as he cleaned a couple of m-80’s.
Shango thought about Blue again. The man was good people and he would cheerfully help him even without the huge payday it promised. Blue had saved his skin once or twice tipping him off to various police stings that were in place and undercovers who were trying to entrap him. Shango was also glad to be arriving early so he could check out the atmosphere. Before he did any job he always wanted to gather as much information as possible on all the scenarios that would play out. This one was no different. His cell vibrated and he checked the message, calling the part
y as requested.
“Yeah man,” he threw into the phone as the party answered. “Yeah he called this morning, I’m on my way down,” Shango returned.
The man told him that was fine he was simply double checking as Shango grunted and they disconnected.
“Like I said, gonna be serious fun,” he chuckled aloud once again as he went to gather yet another set of weapons.
There was a knock at his door and he sighed deeply going to open it, finding another blast from the past standing there.
“What do you want,” Shango asked evenly.
“Now is that any way to greet a friend,” Roman asked.
Shango sighed deeply. He and Detective Roman Stefan were anything but friends.
“What do you want,” he asked another time.
Roman glanced the room seeing all the guns, giving Shango a questioning look.
“None of your business,” the man told the dirty cop.
Roman chuckled slightly before getting into the real reason behind his visit. In addition to the firepower and muscle he provided, Shango was a very resourceful information broker. He could get information others couldn’t. It was always accurate and he charged a hefty price for it. As he and Roman got down to business, Shango for the time being pushed his impending trip to the Atlanta out of his mind and gave the detective his undivided attention and the amount of money and favors the information would cost him.
“Can’t do it until I get back though,” Shango told Roman at the conclusion of their talk.
“How long will that be,” the detective asked anxiously.
He was on a time clock.
“Few days,” Shango said simply not elaborating.
Roman sighed deeply but knew there was nothing else he could do but wait. No one else in the city could find what he was looking for as quickly and efficiently as Shango. “OK,” he grudgingly replied. “But call me the second you are back in the city,” he admonished as Shango told him he would, standing at the open door alerting Roman his welcome visa had expired.
*****
Kim was still furious as she drove thinking about Tyshon’s attempt at blackmail. That muthafucka is pissing me off, she thought evenly. She wasn’t about to let him show that DVD to Mook and she wasn’t going to be with him either. So what the hell are you going to do, her mind questioned. Kim smiled slightly as the ominous thought entered her mind. He’d given her until Saturday and that was plenty of time to set up what she needed. Are you going to get help, her mind again questioned. Kim shook her head no to the internal question. This task she had to handle alone. He picked the wrong road to travel, Kim continued to contemplate. Tyshon had underestimated her. She wasn’t that same soft little girl he’d left years ago. Kim was a grown woman, a professional, and she was going to show Tyshon how she handled threats. The matter settled in her mind, Kim began to work out the various scenarios to complete the mission. She had to be in place Saturday when Memoirs kicked off, not only for Mook, but for the other plans she, Tae and Jaleesa had for Miss Layla.
Her cell rang and broke her thoughts. Kim sighed deeply seeing Cyiarra’s name on the ID, but answered anyway.
“Hey CiCi,” she greeted the woman.
Cyiarra returned the greeting asking how she was and if she were busy at the moment. Kim told her she was fine and was just driving right now.
“I called to get your advice about something,” Cyiarra began.
Kim told her to go ahead.
“Do you think I should go to the opening Saturday,” she asked as Kim frowned slightly.
“Yeah, why not,” she immediately replied.
They needed Cyiarra to show up so her friend would too. Kim heard the heavy sigh before the woman spoke.
“I don’t want to run into his other woman,” she told Kim pitifully.
“Top isn’t going to do that,” Kim told her confidently.
The man was extremely private and obviously whoever this mystery woman was, Tariq had no intention of introducing anyone to her.
“You don’t think so,” Cyiarra asked, the glimmer of hope in her voice.
“No, not his style,” Kim returned without elaborating.
“Okay, well, in that case, I guess we will come,” Cyiarra returned.
“Who is we,” Kim asked. “You can’t bring the baby,” she joked as Cyiarra chuckled.
“No, my girl Layla is coming with me,” she replied as Kim’s smiled broadened.
“Oh okay, well yeah that’s straight,” she replied and continued to chat pleasantly with Cyiarra a few moments more.
“You should make sure you dress to impress though,” Kim advised.
Cyiarra told her she was way ahead of her.
“I’m going to give Tariq a little something to think about,” she confided giggling as Kim laughed with her.
“OK then girl, I’ll talk to you later this week,” Kim replied as Cyiarra told her okay and they disconnected.
Everything was falling into place and Kim was pleased with all her plans. Suddenly hungry she pulled off the next exit heading for the wing place to get her favorite.
*****
King Diesel was sipping the vodka as he replayed the conversations between Tariq and Lauren. He was frowning deeply as he did, not liking the closeness of the two. He could be a problem, King Diesel continued to plot. The plan so far had been falling like clockwork. They didn’t need any variations or distractions; still if he had too King Diesel was prepared to deal with the man as well. If she’s in love with him, why is she married to the other one still, his mind continued to question. King Diesel’s estimation was the woman loved playing the elaborate game with the two unwitting men, watching them tear each other apart for her affection. It wouldn’t surprise him. Carlo Cisneros was known to do anything for attention. She was his daughter after all, so he presumed the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Blue better hope he can pull this off, King Diesel again mused. He was deadly serious when he told his number one assassin he would take care of the woman if he couldn’t control her. Lauren Cisneros was too dangerous to run free without a handler, King Diesel concluded. She was every bit her psychotic father in his estimation. Thinking about the man always gave him a headache and today was no different. Taking a deep breath King Diesel calmed himself. They were days away from the culmination of almost three years hard work.
Soon Lauren would be where she should have been years ago, and he would exact the revenge he’d waited years to get. King Diesel was going to break all the cartels; the Bailey brothers, Tariq’s crew, Creeper and Pirate, even the great Ray Lockhart, he mused chuckling inwardly. He knew about all of them and King Diesel had set each and every domino in place to destroy them.
“Then I’ll show them how a real kingpin handles his business,” he spoke arrogantly aloud.
Hearing the front door, he turned from his musing to regard Mason as he walked into the library.
“Good afternoon Mason,” King Diesel greeted him pleasantly.
Mason returned the greeting accepting the drink that was offered.
“Did you take care of your errands,” King Diesel asked.
“Yes, everything is situated, thanks,” Mason replied as King Diesel nodded.
“Did you get the rest of the things we needed,” he asked giving Mason a look.
“Yes and the rest will be delivered tomorrow,” he told him, going on to assure King Diesel everything would be in place.
“Good,” King Diesel replied. “Nothing can go wrong at this point,” he added as Mason assured him it wouldn’t and the two men continued to converse, beginning a game of chess and relaxing their minds.
23
India was smiling still as she and Brent walked inside the mall. He’d dropped by her office at the gallery earlier, out of the blue, asking if they could have lunch.
“Brent, I’m so glad you stopped by,” India told him. “I needed a little diversion,” she added chuckling.
Brent told her he was glad as well.
“We haven’t just hung out in a long time,” he returned as she readily agreed. “How are things with you and the baby,” he asked calmly.
India responded that everything was fine and they were having an ultrasound next week.
“We’ll finally find out what we’re having,” she told him chuckling yet again.
“I’m sure Pop is rooting for a boy,” Brent fished.
India told him she thought Ray was leaning toward a girl.
“He keeps saying stuff about princess castles and such to decorate the nursery,” India told him as Brent smiled.
He felt a little bad then for the thing he was planning, but his father had left him no choice. Brent had worked hard to keep the business viable and part of the current times. His father was part of the past generation. Business was handled differently these days. They had amassed millions and Brent wasn’t sharing that with someone who hadn’t put a days worth of sweat into the empire.
“Yeah, he probably does want a little girl to spoil come to think of it,” Brent told her recounting for her how scandalously his father had spoiled Diamond when they first found out about her.
They were heading downstairs to the Toys-N-Tots store. They boarded the escalator with Brent standing next to India. There was a man in front of them and a woman with a stroller and another small child behind them. Brent smiled thinking how perfect his plan would go with the woman behind them. The sign of course said no strollers and he planned to use that to his advantage. The child with the woman was squirming around as she struggled to hold onto him as well as the stroller. Brent kept an eye on them and as he figured the small child jumped down onto their step, bumping into India. He did the rest, feigning an attempt to catch the child he intentionally bumped India harder as she lost her balance. She careened forward, screaming shortly as she tumbled down the ten stairs of the escalator, landing awkwardly at the bottom the man in front of her also falling atop her, being taken down by her forward momentum.
People began to scramble from the food court to India and the man lying on the floor. He was conscious, speaking and able to move with assistance. India wasn’t moving or speaking. Brent rushed to her side putting on an excellent acting job as he pretended to be almost hysterical. The ambulance was called and Brent continued to be inconsolable as bystanders tried to help India.